SB 211 
.P8 D5 
Copy 1 



The University of Wisconsin 

University Extension Division 

Department of General Information and Welfare 




LEARNING TO EAT POTATOES 

In three scenes 

Time: About 1577 

Place: On a large estate in England 
Persons: The lord of the manor, his brother, the 
gardener, servants, and guests 



by Marie Paula Dickore 



Price 5 cents 



Copyrighted by the University Extension Division 

July, 1915 



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)CI,A401879 

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JUL 24 1915 

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Foreword on 
THE WISCONSIN POTATO CROP 

by 

J. G. Milward 
Assistant Professor of Horticulture 
The University of Wisconsin 

The use of the play ' 'Learning to Eat Potatoes' ' should help to arouse 
in the schools of Wisconsin an interest in the study of one of the most im- 
portant crops of this state. There are presented below some facts relat- 
ing to potato growing. 

Potatoes are not native to Wisconsin, but originally grew on the cool 
slopes of Chile and Peru. The greatest development, hoY/ever, has been 
far from this native home. Wisconsin is one of the leading states in 
producing the potato and since 1885 careful selection and breeding have so 
improved the crop that we now have many varieties, some of which yield as 
much as four hundred bushels, or approximately twelve tons to the acre. 
In some European countries where the manufacture of alcohol from potatoes 
is an important industry, certain coarse-growing varieties have yielded 
as high as eight hundred bushels per acre. 

The wild potato was small, of a poor quality, and ripened late. From this 
plant the large, smooth potato which we are accustomed to see, has been 
developed through long and careful breeding. The term ' 'seed' ' is used 
here in reference to the small green berries which grow in clusters on the 
vines. These berries turn a reddish yellow and are the fruits referred to 
in the play. When the farmer or potato grov/er uses the term ' 'seed' ' he 
means the tuber or potato and not the true seed. The tuber is used ordi- 
narily for raising crops because each seed from a berry may produce a 
plant entirely different from the parent in color, size, shape and quality. 
Therefore the farmer cannot rely upon the true potato seed but must use 
the underground tuber for planting purposes. 

Wisconsin is especially adapted for raising potatoes because of the 
suitableness of the soil and climate. 

The cultivated potato likes Wisconsin soil and there is no agricultural 
land in the state where this crop is not grown. Still there are millions 
of undeveloped acres which have never grown a cultivated crop. Humus is 
essential, especially where dry summers are common. The vegetable matter 
retains the moisture and prevents the vines from dying out. Potatoes 
cannot, however, be grown on the same land year after year without re- 
plenishing the soil. The grower usually plows under green clover, stable 
manure, or other fertilizer to supply the needed plant food (Notrogen, 
potash, etc. ) . 

The climate of Wisconsin is adopted for the potato growing industry be- 
cause the first part of the season should be warm and damp for the growth 
of the green vine, and the latter part , during which the tuber ripens, 
should be dry and have cool, 9lear nights. Climatic conditions in Wiscon- 



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sin are therefore just right to breed hardiness and vigor in the stock. 

So much for the conditions that favor the grov/ing of the potato crop. 
We must , however, remember that the potato has about as many enemies as any 
crop grown in the state. Space permits only passing mention of the various 
pests with which the grower has to contend. 

The late blight rot does serious damage during the cold and rainy periods 
late in August or September. It rots the stems and leaves, and in a few 
days ' time may turn a healthy green field into a rotten mass of smelling 
vines. The spores or disease germs then enter the ground and begin their 
mischief on the tubers. The rotten spots on t?:^ p ^tatoes may be very small 
at harvest time but by the time that they are hauled and stored the rot 
may spread so rapidly as to ruin whole carloads before they reach the 
market. When cold, dry weather sets in, the rot as a rule is checked and 
then dry, hard, rotten spots resembling large blisters show on the potatoes 
and require the most careful sorting before the stock can be shipped to mar- 
ket . This blight rot is the disease which caused the famine in Ireland in 
1845 and the consequent migration into this country. Other diseases of 
the potato are the common scab, wilt diseases, early blight, black scurf, 
black leg, leaf roll troubles, etc. but Wisconsin is fortunate because as 
yet we do not have certain diseases that are so destructive in many of the 
older potato growing states. Wisconsin is making every possible effort 
to keep these diseases out an'-l therefore careful inspection is being made 
and growers are asked not to buy seed potatoes outside of the state, since 
many of the diseases are spread by seed potatoes. 

The harmful insects are also a constant worry to the farmer. The most 
common insect pests are the potato beetle (bug) , the flea beetle, grass- 
hopper and the white grub. 

The most advisable control measures against these various troubles are: 
For the blight , the vines should be sprayed in August and September with a 
preparation called the Bordeaux Mixture. This is made from Blue Vitriol 
and common fresh lime according to the following formula :-Blue Vitriol, 
eight pounds; lime, ten pounds; water, one hundred gallons. The mixture 
is applied to the vines in a fine spray with machines which cover from four 
to six rows of plants at a time. * The potato beetle may best be killed with 
Paris Green. 

Two standard varieties are grown extensively in Wisconsin, the Rural 
New Yorker and the Green Mountain. These are both rather late potatoes of 
a round oblong and flattened shape. The former ha bsluish sprouts and 
purple blossoms, while the latter ha<- bright green sorouts and white ^ 
blossoms. It is therefore very easy to separate the two varieties during 
the summer season when the vines are in bloom, and as it is very important 
that the fields be kept pure, growers often go over the fields and dig out 
potatoes of other varieties. Many potato growing communities in Wiscon- 
sin have organized an association and have adopted the Green Mountain or 
the Rural New Yorker variety. ^ 

The first car load of potatoes was shipped out of Wisconsin from Waupaca 
about thirty-four years ago. Last year (1914) over thirty million 
bushels were raised in the state. The combined shipment from Wisconsin at 
present would fill a train extending from Lake Superior to Madison, a dis- 
tance of about 300 miles. 

An effort is now under way in Wisconsin to make it easy to place the whole 
story of potato growing before the young people in the rural schols, for 
there is something fresh and new in the study of a crop like this which not 



only supplies a problem for study but awakens a deeper interest in the 
very best things of life which take us close to nature. 

All the material needed is available at the very doors of our schools. 
It will be used adequately as fast as knowledge, leadership, and good 
teaching are developed. 



LEARNING TO EAT POTATOES 



Scene I 



The arrival of a letter from Sir Walter Raleigh 
Time: Early summer 

Place: In the breakfast-room (or in the garden) 
Persons : The lord, his brother, several servants 
The lord and his brother are seated at the table ; several servants are 
in attendance. 
Brother: ' 'Has't heard nothing lately of thy friend Raleigh?' ' 

Lord: '' It is near five months since last I heard. I wonder where he 
is. • • 
Brother: '' Sailing in the new world in search of gold, or perhaps a 

passage to the golden Indies, or some such f ool 's errand. ' ' 
Lord: ' 'Nay, but he makes great conquests over there. ' ' 
Brother: ' 'Great conquests I Ha! Ha! That weed to burn in your mouth or 
some dusky skinned wild men. Pooh! T'were better he bided 
here and worked his estates. ' ' 
' 'Aye, but the Queen looks with favor upon his expedition. ' • 
''Favor! Yea, like all women ! They court flattery and look 
upon any one with favor who names a bit of the new country 
'Virginia' ,or who brings a savage princess as a new toy. ' ' 
''Tut! Tut! Thou must not be so bitter. Raleigh makes a great 
stir with his new colonies in America. ' ' 
Servant enters, bringing a letter and a package to the lord. 
Lord: (breaking the seal) ''Oh, a letter from Raleigh !' ' (is busy 
reading it. ) 

'Where is he now and what new wonder has he found?' ' 
'Sailii^g up the coast of the new land, America. ' ' 
'What interesting news has he to relate now?' ' 
' He tells chiefly of a new plant whose fruit is so very good 
and which he wishes us to introduce into England. ' ' 
'Another of the 'new wonders' to be tried out on us ! (Gets 
up and walks about impatiently) I hardly think it would be 
worth while to bother with a strange plant. ' ' 
Lord: ''Oh, but he says,'' (reading from the letter) 'This plant has 
great nutritive value ; the natives eat it in place of meat. 
It will be of great value to England and I beg of you, my dear 
friend, to carefully plant the seeds and prepare the fruit 
according to the directions I am causing to be enclosed. I 
entreat your aid in introducing this plant into England. 
Methinks our beloved Queen will look with favor on him who can 
do this. ' ' ' 



Lord: 
Brother: 



Lord; 



Brother: 
Lord: 

Brother: 
Lord : 

Brother: 



4 



Brother: 



Lord: 
Brother: 

Lord: 



' 'He speaks of seeds ; where are they and like what do they 

look?' ' 
• 'They must be in this package. Let us see. ' ' 
(Hands him the package and leisurely moves his chair nearer 

to watch. ) 
(Breaks the seal and opens the package) ' 'Ah, here they are ; now 
let us have them planted quickly that they may bear fruit 
this season. ' ' (Rings the bell— an old cord bell. ) 
Servant enters. 

Lord: ' 'Tell the Gardener to come hither. ' ' 
Servant exit. 
Gardener enters. 
Gardener: ' 'Yes, Milord?' ' 

Lord: ' 'Here are some seeds from America, sent by my friend. Sir 

Walter Raleigh. He tells in his letter (picks up leter and 
reads from it) 'This plant has great nutritive value ; the 
natives eat it in place of meat. It will be of great value to 
England and I beg of you, my dear friend, to carefully plant 
the seeds and prepare the fruit according to the directions 
I am causing to be enclosed. I entreat your aid in introduc- 
ing this plant into England. Methinks our beloved Queen 
will look with favor on him who can do this. ' (To gardener) 
' ' Take thou these seeds and plant them that we may know soon 
how the fruit tastes. * ' 
' 'Yes, Milord, an' if you please, where are the directions?' ' 
' 'With the seeds, thou dolt. • ' 
(Examines the package and shakes his head.) 
' 'Are they not there? (To Brother) Didst thou see them?' ' 

All look for the papers ; can not find them. 
(Maliciously) ' 'Ah ha ! now we shall never know how the plant 

tastes. • ' 
(Pompously) ''Oh, that does not matter. I am a gardener and 
know how to plant and raise everything. These seeds are but 
a slight matter to me. ' ' 
(As he and his brother leave. ) • ' Take care thou boastest not 
too much. These seeds are too precious. ' ' 

Exeunt , 



Gardener: 
Lord: 

Gardener: 
Lord: 

Brother: 

Gardener: 



Lord; 



Gardener: (Alone) ' 'Now I've done it 
strange plant. The see 
apple tree. Mayhap t'w 
surely, for does the pod 
what it will be ; a vine g 
heavily laden with berri 
all things in the new wor 
it? In the sun or in the 
his f orgetfulness ! No 
the gardener ; I know how 
that I cannot plant , rais 
to the audience as if to c 
Else, how should I be the 



again ! What do I know of this 
ds look as if it would grow like an 
ill be a vine instead of a tree. Yea, 

not look like a dried grape. That's 
rowing up high on the trellis an' 
es larger than the grape, for are not 
Id larger? Now, how shall I plant 
shade? Plague upon Raleigh and 

matter, (strutting up and down) , lam 

; there is nothing grows in this earth 
e, and harvest. (Turning half way 
hallenge any one who doubted him. ) 

gardener?' ' 

Exit. 



Scene II 



The Fruit is Ripe 

Time: Late summer 

Place: In the Banquet Hall of the Lord's manor 

Persons: Lord, Brother, Guests, Servants 



Servants 
First servant: 
Second servant: 
First servant: 

Third servant: 

First servant: 
Fourth servant: 
Second servant: 

Fourth servant: 

First servant: 

Fourth servant: 

Third servant : 

Second servant: 
Fourth servant: 

First servant: 
Third servant: 



Second servant 
Third servant 



First servant: 
Fourth servant 



are seen setting the table for a large banquet. 
' It will be a great occasion today. ' ' 
'What is the real reason for this great gathering?' • 
'Hast thou not heard? Our lord desires to let his 

illustrious guests taste the new American fruit. ' ' 
'He will be sorely disappointed, for it tastes not 

good. ' ' 

'Whence your information?'' 
Entering) ' 'What's this discussion?' ' 
' These fellows be saying as how our lord will be sorely 

disappointed at the new fruit. ' ' 
'Aye, that he will. You should have been in the kitchen 

but a moment ago an' tasted the stuff. ' ' 
'How was it?' ' 
'Bitter as gall' ' 
'Reminded me much of the new medicine sent recently from 

America an' said to cure the fever. ' ' 
'Mayhap all stuff American has that bitter taste. ' ' 
'Nay, but Raleigh would not send it, an' were it not of 

some great good. ' ' 

'Ah, an' Raleigh it was who sent this plant?' ' 
'Nay, not the plant, the seeds, an' he said the fruit 

would be of great value to England and how it would 

please the Queen. ' ' 

'An' where does the fellow get all his smartness?' ' 
'Did I not bring Milord the letter and the package of 

seeds? An' did I not hear him read the letter to John, 

the Gardener?' ' 
'An' how dost know the taste?' ' 
'He was in the kitchen, but an hour ago when John 

brought them in. ' ' 



(Busies himself on the other side of the room.) 



Second servant: 
Fourth servant: 
Second servant: 
Fourth servant: 



Third servant: 
First servant: 
Third servant: 



' 'How do they look?' ' 

(Turned around towards the others) ''What, fellows?'' 

' 'Why, the new American fruit, of course. ' ' 

(Coming towards him) ''Oh, I see. Small, like a yellow- 
ish-red hawtree berry. John said they grew on a pretty 
green bush like a good siz^ed bean bush an' had white, 
star-like blossoms. ' ' 

•'But, ugh, they are bitter!'' 

' 'Didst taste them?' ' 

' 'Yea, Sallie, the cook, did not know how to prepare 
them but dared not risk her head by letting it be known. 



6 



Fourth servant 



First servant: 



so she fried them in butter an* then called us in to 
taste. • • 

'We were that proud to taste! But, (shuddering) ugh! 
No one wanted a second tasting. Some one said 'put 
sugar on't', another called for cinnamon. Milord's 
brother, too, had a taste and pronounced them poison- 
ous. ' ' 

'Stand ready! Here they come!'' 



Servants take their positions in the dimingroom as the lord and his 
brother come in with their guests. They seat themselves around the 
table. 

The lord arises and addresses those present :- 
' ' Friends , I have assembled you here that I may share with you the honor of 

being the first to taste the new fruit whose seeds 
Sir Walter Raleigh sent from America. We planted the 
seed and from it came a beautiful bush with pretty 
leaves and white, star-like blossoms. These turned 
into berries that are now of a yellowish-red color. 
Raleigh is anxious for us to take up this fruit and 
cultivate it for the good of England. ' ' 

' 'What name has this new fruit?' ' 

' 'Raleigh called it 'po-ta-to' (mispronounce the word) 
spelled p-o-t-a-t-o. ' ' 

' 'Evidently the native name. ' ' 

' 'How can it be of good to Old England?' ' 

' 'Raleigh writes that the natives eat it in place of 
meat , and we can make use of it in place of bread and 
meat. ' ' 

' ' I am anxious to try this marvel of a berry that is to 
supplant our good old oxen and the wheat. ' ' 

(Rising, glass in hand) . ' 'Let us all drink a toast to 
this new fruit we are to taste today for the first time 
and for which Raleigh promises so great a future in 
England. May it prosper in Merrie England!' ' 



First guest : 
Brother: 

Second guest: 

Third guest: 

Lord: 



Fourth guest 



Brother: 



All rise, cl 
ant who was sent 
hands around to 
themselves. 

First guest : 



Second guest: 

Brother: 

Third guest : 

Fourth guest : 

Fifth guest: 

Brother: 



Sixth guest : 



ink glasses and drink the toast. In the meantime a serv- 
out by the lord, enters with a covered silver dish which he 
each guest. They manifest great curiosity as they help 

' 'What rare opportunity to be the first to try it !' ' 

(Tastes and makes a wry face; looks questioningly at 

the others. ) 
(Tasting) ''Oh, it is bitter!'' 
''Nay, 'tis not so. Thou art not accustomed yet. ' ' 
' ' There is not enough of sugar on ' t . ' ' 
' 'It savors too much of cinnamon. ' ' 
• 'I do not like it. ' ' 
' 'Nay, nay, be not hasty in thy judgment. 'Tis new. 

Thou hast not learned to like it. Try it again. ' ' 

(Passes the dish over to him. ) 
' • It tastes like the new medicine from the new land. • ' 



Brother: (Handing him the silver dish. ) '' Take more ; thou must 
learn to like it. Didst like the olive at first 
taste?' • 
Seventh guest: •' I am sore afraid this fruit is not suitable to England' s 

climate. ' ' 
Brother: (Laughing aside) ' 'Nay, but thou art sore afraid. Try 
some more. Thou v;ilt like it better as thou cultivat- 
est the taste. ' ' 
First guest: (To second guest . ) ' ' I do not f eel well ; methinks I am 
poisoned. ' ' (Rises and says to the lord. ) ' ' I find 
a fit of ague coming over me. I must get home and to 
bed. Thou wilt excuse me?'' 
Second guest: ' 'Pray let me accompany thee home safely. (To the lord) 

I'll see him to his home and let thee know. ' ' 

Both exeunt. 
Third guest : ' ' I just remember, my wif e ' s mother will come with to- 
day' s coach. I must not fail to meet her. Thou wilt 
be so kind as to excuse me?' ' 

Exit. 
Lord: ''Why, but, (bewildered) what means this sudden leave- 
taking?' ' 
Brother: (Patronizingly, as all guests come up, take leave and 

go out. ) ' 'Do not fear, dear brother, they will come 
around to thine and Raleigh's love of this new fruit. 
Mayhap if you should plant the seed in sugar or molasses 
t'will become more palatable. ' ' 

Lord sends for the gardener who comes in with a frightened look on his 
face. 

Lord: (Angrily.) ''What shame is this thou hast brought on 
my head? What didst thou do to spoil Sir Raleigh's new 
fruit? Thou numskull ! Thou dolt ! Thou worse than 
dunce ! Tear out the plant ! Destroy it, burn it, any- 
thing to get it out of my sight, and get thee out too. 
I'll have none of thee. I ' 11 have some one who knows 
how to grow these precious plants from America. Out of 
my sight ! Thou art no gardener!' ' 

The lord and his brother exeunt. 
Gardener: (Left alone, is very much dej ected. ) ''What? I no 

gardener? Now see Y;hat has come of my boasting. An' 
he blames it all on me. Why not the cook? But then, 
did I not plant the seed expecting it to be a vine, an' 
it came up a bush? Mayhap I gave it not enough of sun. 
Alas, that I boasted of my great knowledge. A wiser 
man had held his tongue. An' now for the tearing out 
of the plant that has caused my downfall. Yes, I'll 
burn it, and I'll do it so well that Milord will take me 
on again. (Exit shouting.) What! Ho! A brand ! Fire! 
Fire ! Fire !' ' 



8 



Scene III 



The real potato 



Time: Afternoon of the same day 

Place : In the garden 

Persons: The lord, the gardener. 



servants 



Servants are in the garden performing different duties. First and 
fourth servants and the cook's boy enter, meet and talk. As they talk the 
fifth servant enters, evidently from the city, for he carries packages. 
As they all talk the other servants crowd around, joining in with expres- 
sions of interest in the tasting of the potato, the dinner scene, the wrath 
of the lord, the sending away of John. 

First servant: ''Faith! but Milord was sore angry! 

Fifth servant enters. 

'' I was that glad that I was not in John' s boots. ' ' 
(Seeing the fifth servant. ) ''What! Ho! Come hither. 

Thou didst miss the row. ' ' 
Coming up and depositing his parcels on the ground. ) 

' 'How's that?' ' 
'John, the gardener ' s been dismissed. ' ' 
'What? An' when did that happen? ' ' 
'At the banquet Milord gave today to introduce the 

American fruit. ' ' 

'An' why should John be sent away?' ' 
' The new fruit was a grand failure. The guests did not 

like it at all. ' ' 
'They all left before the meal was over. ' ' 
'An' why should they leave?' ' 
' The fruit was that bitter and ill-tasting they would 

not stay. ' ' 

' I guess they thought they were poisoned. ' ' 
'An' was't so bad?' ' 
'Ugh! thou shouldst have tasted of it. The cook put 

sugar and cinnamon on to make it taste better. ' ' 
' But what of John ; what did the new fruit have to do with 

his dismissal? ' ' 
'Milord held him responsible for not knowing how to plant 

the seeds and raise the plant. ' ' 
'Oh, that's it, is it?' ' 

' Thou shouldst have been here instead of in town. ' ' 
'Aye, that I wish. 'T'would have been sport to see them 

try to eat of it. ' ' 
'Here comes Milord. ' ' (Runs away as fast as he can. ) 
'Let us hasten out of the way that he can not vent his 

spleen on us. ' ' 





Boy: ' 


Fourth 


servant: ( 


Fifth 


servant: ( 




Boy: ' 


Fifth 


servant : ' 


First 


servant: ' 


Fifth 


servant: ' 


Fourth 


servant: ' 


First 


servant: ' 


Fifth 


servant: ' 


Fourth 


servant: ' 


First 


servant: ' 


Fifth 


servant: ' 




Boy: ' 


Fifth 


servant: ' 


Fourth 


servant: ' 


Fifth 


servant: ' 


First 


servant: ' 


Fifth 


servant: ' 




Boy: ' 


First 


servant: ' 



9 



All the servants hasten away in opposite directions from the entrance 
of the lord. The lord walks through the garden ; comes upon a fire. 

Lord: ''Gardener I Here I Come hither !' ' 
Gardener: (Running up to him. ) ''Yes, Milord.'' 

Lord: (Angry at seeing him still in the garden. ) ''What, thou 
art still here? How comes this fire?' ' 
Gardener: ' 'You bade me tear out the new American plants an' destroy 
them, an' so I have pulled them all up an' am destroying 
them as fast as fire will burn. ' ' 
Lord: ''Well, all right. Thou has been industrious. Yes, 

Yes, thou art mending thy ways. I see. What are yon 
black balls on the edge of the fire? ' ' 
Gardener: '' They hung in great numbers on the roots of the plants 
an' I have dug them all up to burn them with the plants, 
for you said I was to destroy them. ' ' 
Lord: ''Yes, yes. Get me one of those balls. ' ' 
Gardener, eager to please, stoops to get one ; picks it up ; too hot, 
tries to hold it first in one hand, then in the other ; blows his fin- 
gers ; dances from one foot to the other ; finally the potato falls 
out of his hands and rolls before the f-eet of the lord who steps on it. 
As the potato bursts they both bend over it. 

Lord: ' 'Ha ! that smells savory. ' ' 
Gardener: (Picks it up, hands a part to the lord, smells at the other 
part. ) 
Lord: (Smells and tastes. ) ' 'That tastes good. ' ' 
Gardener: ' ' It truly does taste good. ' ' (Eats all of his part of the 
potato and with a stick tries to find more in the fire. ) 
' 'An' salt would make it better. ' ' 
Lord: (As he eats his part meditatively.) ' 'And butter I ' ' 
(Suddenly. ) ' 'Aha 1 now I knoYif what Raleigh meant by 
fruit. Now I know what he meant by nutritive value and 
substitute for bread and meat . I ' 11 go to the house 
and send for all my friends again to let them taste of 
this savory fruit . Pick thou all the balls up to take 
to the cook and tell thou the cook how to prepare them. 
(Turns to leave but remembers the gardener.) Thou 
mayest stay in my service. ' ' 
Gardener: (Bowing.) ' 'Many thanks. Milord. ' ' The lord exit. 
Gardener: (Seems to expand with returned self-confidence.) ''Ha! 
That was a good turn this fruit did me now. I always 
knew I was a gardener. Who planted the American seed? 
I did. Who so carefully raised the plants an' tended 
them? I did. Who was ' t found the balls and built the 
fire and roasted them to such a savory turn? 'Twas I 
alone, the gardener! (Indicating the direction in 
which the lord v/ent. ) He realized in good time that he 
could not get along without me. But for me. Sir Walter 
Raleigh's new fruit would have perished in English 
soil. The Queen (Strutting off the stage.) should 
look upon me with favor. I am The Gardener !' ' 

Exit. 



10 



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